SAC loses to NVC 87-68, slips to 0-2.
By Michael Peters
mpeters28@student.alamo.edu
The player charged into the lane and leapt high toward the hoop before he collided with an opposing player and fell to the floor. When he realized the officials called no foul, he slammed his hands onto the hardwood in frustration. The opposing team gathered the ball and stormed down the court before drawing a foul.
This was the story of the night for business communication sophomore Andrew Butler and his Ranger teammates during Wednesday’s 87-68 loss versus the Northwest Vista Wildcats in Candler Physical Education Center.
The Rangers held an early 14-9 lead before four straight turnovers led to the Wildcats taking a lead they would not relinquish. The Wildcats would go on a 26-3 run to take a 35-17 lead over the Rangers.
The Rangers clawed back to within striking distance before losing momentum with mistakes.
“Officiating was horrible,” said men’s basketball coach Matt Ramirez. “(I’m) not making excuses, but every time we’d get momentum, the refs would come up with something.”
While officiating was a point of frustration for the Rangers, Ramirez was quick to point out costly turnovers and a loss of composure as major contributing factors to the result.
The Rangers drop their second game in a row to start the season winless after last week’s 102-95 loss to the Southwest Texas Junior College Cowboys.
The Wildcats have started 2-0 after defeating the St. Philip’s Tigers 66-57 last week.
Both Wildcat victories have come on the road.
The Rangers will take on the Victoria College Pirates 8 p.m. Wednesday at VC sports center gym.
The Wildcats face off against Southwest Texas Junior College 8 p.m. Wednesday at Huisache Hall.